Plunger apparatus

Abstract

A plunger apparatus may include an upper cylindrical section, a plurality of through-holes, an elongated body, and a lower cylindrical section. The plurality of through-holes may be circumferentially arranged about the upper cylindrical section to provide passages for venting and releasing particulates that clog the plunger and barrel seal area. Further, the plunger apparatus may provide an undersized area circumferentially disposed about the upper cylindrical section for creating a point of relief and inducing swirling of particulates. An oversized area may also be provided for creating a point of increased pressure about the plunger apparatus.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A plunger apparatus comprising:
 a lower cylindrical section including a hollow interior, wherein external threads are disposed about each end of the lower cylindrical section; and 
 an elongated body disposed between an upper cylindrical section and the lower cylindrical section, the elongated body including a hollow interior and internal threads configured to receive the upper cylindrical section at a top end of the elongated body and the lower cylindrical section at a bottom end of the elongated body, the upper cylindrical section comprising: 
 a hollow interior; 
 external threads disposed about each end of the upper cylindrical section; 
 a plurality of multidirectional through-holes circumferentially arranged about the upper cylindrical section; 
 a leading edge configured at both an inward angle towards a central axis of the plunger apparatus and a downward angle towards a bottom of the plunger apparatus, wherein the leading edge is disposed so as to prevent particulates entering a rod pump from restricting travel, causing damage to or blocking any portion of the plunger apparatus; 
 an undersized area circumferentially disposed about the upper cylindrical section including the plurality of through-holes, wherein the undersized area creates at least one point of relief and induces swirling of particulates; and 
 an oversized area circumferentially disposed about the upper cylindrical section above the undersized area and including a first shoulder, wherein the oversized area creates at least one point of increased pressure configured to urge particulates away from the leading edge of the elongated body using the plurality of multidirectional through-holes, 
 wherein the first shoulder is circumferentially disposed about the upper cylindrical section; and the upper cylindrical section further comprising: 
 a second shoulder circumferentially disposed about the upper cylindrical section below the first shoulder, wherein the second shoulder includes portions of the plurality of through-holes and a second width from the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical section to an outer edge of the second shoulder smaller than a first width from the outer diameter of a base of the external threads to an outer edge of the first shoulder. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is comprised of nickel alloy. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of multidirectional through-holes has a diameter ranging from one-fourth of an inch to one-half of an inch, and wherein the plunger apparatus has a diameter ranging from one and one-fourth inches to three and one-fourth inches. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of multidirectional through-holes is angled within a range between approximately 45 degrees downward and inward towards the leading edge and approximately 45 degrees upward and inward towards the leading edge. 
     
     
       5. An upper plunger pin apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of multidirectional through-holes circumferentially arranged about the upper plunger pin apparatus; 
 a shoulder having a leading edge disposed so as to prevent particulates entering a rod pump from restricting travel, causing damage to or blocking any portion of the plunger apparatus; 
 an undersized area circumferentially disposed about the upper plunger pin apparatus to create at least one point of relief and induce swirling of particulates; and 
 an oversized area circumferentially disposed about the upper plunger pin apparatus to create at least one point of increased pressure and urge particulates away from the leading edge using the plurality of multidirectional through-holes, wherein the upper plunger pin apparatus threadedly connects to an elongated body, the elongated body having dual seal and torque edges at an outer end and on an inside thread. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the shoulder includes portions of the plurality of through-holes. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of multidirectional through-holes has a diameter ranging from one-fourth of an inch to one-half of an inch. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of multidirectional through-holes is angled at a range between approximately 45 degrees downward and inward towards the leading edge and approximately 45 degrees upward and inward towards the leading edge. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 at least one fitting flat circumferentially arranged about the upper plunger pin between two of the plurality of multidirectional through-holes. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the elongated body is comprised of nickel alloy. 
     
     
       11. A downhole rod pump assembly, comprising:
 a plunger having a plurality of multidirectional through-holes circumferentially arranged about an upper section of the plunger; 
 a leading edge arranged at the upper section of the plunger, wherein the leading edge prevents particulates entering the downhole rod pump assembly from restricting travel, causing damage to or blocking any portion of the plunger; 
 an undersized area arranged along the upper section of the plunger, wherein the undersized area creates at least one point of relief and induces swirling of particulates; 
 an elongated body that threadedly connects to the upper section of the plunger, the elongated body having dual seal and torque edges at an outer end and on an inside thread; and 
 an oversized area arranged along the upper section of the plunger, wherein the oversized area creates at least one point of increased pressure and urges particulates away from the leading edge using the plurality of multidirectional through-holes.